Sophie, a caretaker at the sanctuary, had noticed that Maya, one of the oldest residents, had settled in a quiet corner and remained there for weeks. Sophie had always admired Maya’s lively nature—she was the type of orangutan who would swing from tree to tree, always on the move. But now, Maya had refused to leave her spot, sitting motionless and gazing out at the world. Sophie couldn’t help but feel concerned. Something was off.
Sophie had spent years with Maya, so when she noticed this shift in behavior, it stood out. Maya had always been independent, but she was never the type to just sit still for long periods. She would often interact with the other animals and enjoy exploring her environment. Now, Sophie watched from a distance as Maya stayed still, her arms tightly wrapped around her legs, as if protecting something. Sophie couldn’t understand it. Was she unwell? Had something happened?
For days, Sophie watched Maya carefully. She spoke to the other caretakers, but no one else seemed as concerned. But Sophie couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than a simple change in behavior. She had to find out what was going on.